THE spirit of the People Power Revolution or the Edsa Revolution will always be alive today and in the years to come, according to a researcher who attended the Cebu City Government's commemoration of the historic event.
Edrine Durante, a 23-year-old science researcher and former chairperson of the University of the Philippines Ecological Society, said that remembering history is a vital responsibility for Filipinos.
"It has been rooted to our history and reliving and relearning history is an important aspect of our lives," says Durante. "Especially now that someone who is sitting is linked to why Edsa happened."
Durante said the youth should be more engaged, especially in the country’s current political economy.
Aside from Durante, other members of youth groups joined the wreath-laying ceremony at the Freedom Park in Barangay Ermita on Friday, February 25, 2023, to mark the 37th anniversary of the peaceful revolt.
Alexa Opone, a 17-year-old senior high school student from Barangay Apas, helped prepare the event as part of an on-the-job training.
Opone saw her involvement in the event as a way to pay respect to those who fought for freedom in the ‘70s up to the end of Marcos' Sr. regime in 1986.
"Need nila ma-open ilahang minds para makahibaw gyud sila unsa ang Edsa Revolution. Para makahibaw pud sila unsa pamaagi gibuhat sa atoang ancestors para makuha ang freedom," she said.
(Members of the current generation need to open their minds so they’ll know what the Edsa Revolution is really all about. So they’ll know what our ancestors had to do to achieve freedom.)
Cebu City Vice Mayor Alvin Garcia, chairman of the Cultural and Historical Affairs Commission, said it is important to remember the significance of the revolution regardless of political views.
He pointed out that the country gained international recognition and inspired other countries to hold peaceful revolutions.
Garcia and City Councilor Dondon Hontiveros led the ceremony. They were joined by employees of the Cebu City Government.